Yesterday, Ali shared Jonathan Lo's, of Happy Mundane fame, trick with contact paper that transformed a generic Ikea desk from "ho hum" to "oh wow". He worked similar magic on the ENTERI shelving unit with similar "swear it was a mid-century modern piece" results. If you need a little inspiration for your own contact paper adventures, we've rounded up a little inspiration for you!
Jonathan's ENETRI transformation: Black paint covers the formerly silver support structure, wood grain contact paper covers the top of the shelves (no need to cover them on both sides since only one side will be seen). For the full set of instructions, click here.
Mock up an inlay: Maude used this technique on her walls to create a graphic finish but you can also try this technique on furniture, on a smaller scale, to create the look of complex inlay.
Create the look of multiple wood texture: This look was all over ICFF last year and it promises to only gain in importance. While one of these pieces can be very expensive, a few rolls of contact paper in varying types of wood grains can give you a similar look for pennies.
Go Moorish: Shoestring Pavillion covered a typical boxy white fridge with a Pottery Barn-inspired Moorish tile pattern. Follow her lead to cover an armoire, chest of drawers, bookcase or even a floor.
Cover a shade: Plain shades get a boost with a little contact paper for a whimsical and modern look.
Hardware stores, Target, Home Depot and Lowe's all carry basic contact papers, usually in woodgrain, mirror finish, white and a limited assortment of small patterns and basic colors. For something more complex, check out the offerings at DesignYourWalls.
(Image 1: Jonathan Lo/Happy Mundane, Other images as linked above.)
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I like everything aside from the fridge. It just looks weird to me...
Refrigerator is super cool. The 'mid-century' piece is done really well. Like the ideas on the shade and funky wall art. The shelving anyone I think could do but still great ideas. Well done and thanks for sharing.
That fridge is insane! I would do that if my fridge was old and ugly but couldn't afford a new one, and the rest of my kitchen was minimal and white. It would be bold!
I love the credenza. That's what inspired me to get into contact paper.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7874990@N03/6167719797/
The credenza could have been done with self-adhesive REAL wood veneers and been much more wonderful! Contact paper eventually lifts and ripples and looks like the vinyl sheeting that it is -- which will ruin the piece. The adhesive is a nightmare to remove, too -- gets all gummy and kind of slimy. I used self-adhesive oak veneer to refurbish ugly bathroom cabinets in l my old house, and it's gorgeous. (More than pennies, but not as much as new furniture.) You could cut your stripes, carefully stain them, let them dry, then remove the backing and apply the pieces to the cabinet just like the Contact Paper. Then polyurethane to protect.
Google "self adhesive wood veneer"...
Save Contact paper for particle board and other low end projects.
I repainted my wardrobe. When I saw how much they were charging for peacock feather decals I knew I had to put measures into my own hands. The cutting was so labour intensive. I think each feather took about half an hour to cut out.
http://typearamblings.blogspot.com/p/diys.html
Might have been easier to do the shades with stencils. You wouldn't have the wood grain but wood grain on shades looks weird anyway. That's the only piece that actually looks like contact paper.
I really wish Ikea would bring back the ENETRI Shelving.
SHERRYBINNH,
They might have gone with contact paper for the same reason I did which was not wanting to permanently alter the piece. I actually bought real wood veneer but since I change up the look of my decor every now and then, I wanted something that I could remove on a whim.
I do remember contact paper being kinda crappy when I was younger but I think they must have improved it quite a bit because I haven't had any of the pealing or bubbling on pieces I've had for a few years although, I wouldn't recommend it for a bathroom or outside where moisture could be an issue.
For the price, it's worth grabbing a roll and having fun with it.
WELL COLOUR ME INSPIRED!!!!!!!!!!!